Device for making butter pats



M.` J, wr-:INBERG 'DEVICE FOR MAKING BUTTER PATS July 21, 1953 3 Sheets-Shevet 1 Filed Aug. 10, 1948 mmmnl fig. 3

` Sumter. Maurice J Weinberg July 21, 1953 M. J. wElNBERG DEVICE FOR MAKING BUTTER PATs Filed Aug. l0, 1948 3. Sheets-Sheet 2 :inventor .Maur/'ce J/il'nbezy Gttomcg M. J. wElNBERG DEVICE; FOR MAKING BUTTER PATS July '21, 1953'V Fild' Aug. 10, 194s 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 'attorney Patented July 2l, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR MAKING BUTTER PAT'S Maurice J. Weinberg, New York,.N. Y..

Application August 10, 1948, Serial No. 43,371

17y Claims.

This invention relates lto ya device for making device for making pats or chips, comprising a base formed with a chamber to receive a slab of butter, oleomargarine or like material and a cover which ts telescopically over the base and is provided with an integral impressor formed with ribs for dividing the slab into a plurality of separate pats or chips for impressing a design into the several pats. In said prior application, it was stated that the base could be made of molded synthetic plastics, and that the cover could also be made of such material, but that it was preferable for the cover to be lmade of metal so as to have a relatively high co-eicient of heat, whereby after the slab of butter is impressed, the cover could be easily removed without adherence to the slab. To make the entire cover with the impressor of metal yis relatively expensive and furthermore, such a cover would be heavy to handle. Furthermore,- an all meta-l cover with the integral impressor `might get too hot, and 'also with such construction, it would not be possible to change the impressor design Without replacing the entire cover.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide in a device of the character described, a cover Vmade of synthetic plastic material, and a removable metal impressor plate, which may be readily releasably assembled with the cover, so that the weight of the cover plus impressor plate is relatively small, and whereby the impressor plate may bev easily changed. With such construction, storing and shipping of alternate impressor designs involves a minimum space because ,the impressor plate itself is thin. Such a cover,` furthermore, is easy to handle because the plastic cover serves` asla heat insulator with respect to the metal limpressor plate.

A further object of this invention is to' provide Aa `device of the character described, comprising a cover provided at its ends with resilvnotchesr at its ends rsaid. tabs from the top, so that they may be zu f to permit engagement rof rretracted to permit withdrawal of the `impressor plate and replacement thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, a ycover and a `removable impressor plate which may be snapped into place against the underside of the top wall of the cover by merely pressing the kimpressor against said underside, and said cover having means to hold the impressor plate in place `within the cover.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, comprising a cover, a removable impressor plate within the cover, a iknob on top of the cover, and screw threaded means on the knob screwed to the impressor plate for clamping the same against the undersider `of the top Wall of the cover. V-

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, highly improved means to vent airy from jthe butter vchamber when the cover is telescoped. over the base for impressing the slab.

Still a 'further object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged and durable 4device of the character described, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to handle and which shall yet be practical and eiicient to a 'high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in .part

.be obvious and in partrhereinafter pointed out.

The `invention accordingly consists in the features vof construction, combinations of elements, and karrangement of parts, which will vbe exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention Iwill be .indicated in the following claims:

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments vof this invention,

Fig. .1 is .ya front elevational view of va device embodying the invention; v- Fig.2 isan end -view thereof; f Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. V2.; Y

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view :of va device embodying the invention: f

Fig. `5 isa partial perspective end view of said device; y.

Fig. 6 is a. 'bottom plan view of the cover;

Fig. 7 is ya cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. v6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cover and base taken along lines 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a partial perspective view of the base forming part of the device embodying the invention;

Fig. 10 is a partial perspective view of a cover embodying the invention and illustrating a modified construction, but with the impressor plate removed;

Fig. l1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View through a cover and impressor plate illustrating another modified construction;

Fig. 12 is a partial perspective cross-sectional view of a device of the invention and illustrating another modified construction, and

Fig. 13 is an end view of the device embodying the invention and illustrating yet another modified construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, I designates a device embodying the invention for making pats or chips of butter, oleomargarinc or the like soft plastic, easily incisible material. The same comprises generally a base I I, a cover I2 and an impressor plate I3.

The base II may be made in one piece of molded synthetic plastics, such as Lucite cellulose acetate, polystyrene, Saran or the like material. The base II comprises vertical, longitudinal front and rear walls I4 andend walls I5 and I6 interconnecting the front and rear walls. Extending outwardly from walls I4, I5 and I6 are base anges I 'I on which the base rests. The base II, furthermore, includes a horizontal top wall I8 spaced above the base flanges I'I and interconnecting saidl front, rear and end walls. The front and rear walls extend above the top wall I8 of the base forming parallel longitudinal flanges I9. The flanges I9 are interconnected by an upward extension 29 of the end wall I6. The upper outer edges of flanges I9 are curved or bevelled as at I9a. The outer edge of the upper end of wall or kflange 23 is likewise curved, as at 20a. Walls I4, I9 are formed at their outer surfaces with central vertical grooves 2 I, which extend from a point just above the base ange I'I to the upper ends of said walls. The purpose ofr the grooves 2| will be explained hereinafter.

The cover I2 may likewise be made in' one piece and may be molded of synthetic plastic material. It comprises a top wall 25,'end'walls 26 extending downwardly, and front and rear walls 21 likewise extending downwardly from the top Wall 25 and interconnecting the end walls 28. The cover I2 telescopically but loosely fits over the base. The top wall 25 is formed at the opposite ends thereof with notches or openings 28 centrally located with respect to the top Wall and extending to the inner surface of the end walls. Said end Walls 26 are eachformed with a pair of slits 29 from the upper ends of said end wall down to a point above the lower ends of said end Walls. The slits 29 are located'at the ends of the notches 28. Thus between each pair of slits 29 is formed a tab 30- which may be sprung back by` pushing outwardly against the inner surface of the upper ends ofsaid tabs. Said tabs are resilient due to the-inherent characteristics of the plastics material of which the cover is made. The cut-away portions or notches 28 permit insertion of the thumbs for engagement with the upper ends of the tabs 30 so that they may be sprung back, as shown in Fig. 5.

At the inner sides of each tab 30 is a bevelled latch portion 3| having an upwardly and in-- into the slab chamber.

wardly inclined surface 32 and an upper shoulder or ledge 33. The shoulders or ledges 33 are spaced below the under-surface 25a of the top wall 25 of the cover. It will be noted that there is a clearance between the end walls 26 of the cover and the end walls I5, I6 of the base. Also, there is a clearance between the side walls 2l of the cover and the front and rear walls I4 of the base. When the cover is telescoped over the base, the curved or bevelled surface I9a, I9b and .20a facilitate mounting of the cover onto the base.

The impressor plate I3 may be made of metal and is removably and releasably locked or mounted within the cover. Said impressor plate I3 has an outline to t snugly within the cover. Thus, the vertical corners of the cover may be rounded, and the corners of plate I3 are similarly rounded. When the plate I3 is mounted inside the cover, the ends of the plate will engage the inclined surfaces 32 of the latch portions 3I and press out the tabs 30 until the plate passes said latch portions so that the tabs 30 will snap back into place and said plate will then rest on the shoulder 33 and be locked or held against the underside of top wall 25.

The impressor plate I3 is formed all around its periphery with a flange I3a of reduced thickness. Inside the flanges I3a is an area I3b of increased thickness extending below the undersurface of said portion I3a. Said portion I3b has at its ends, opposite extensions I3c which may contact the upper edges of the side flanges I9. Said thicker portion I3b is formed with integra-l downwardly projecting transverse ribs or blades I3d for dividing a slab of butter or the like material into pats or chips. The slab of butter is placed on wall I8 in the chamber between the walls I9, and said slab may contact the end wall 20. A strip 40 of paper may be placed on the upper surface of wall I8 and between the flanges I9 before the slab is placed The paper strip 40 passes up and around flange 20. Said strip may be e ap'ertured so that some of the butter will contact the upper surface of wall I8. When the `cover is telescoped over the base, the ends of the paper strip 40 will pass down between the end .walls 26 of the cover and the end walls I5, I8 of the base, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

The blades I3d will cut through the butter or like material when the cover is pushed down on the base, and the lower` ends of said blades will substantially contact the paper strip 40. The plate I3 may also be formed with impressing ribs or elements I3e projecting down from its underside for impressing a design on the butter pats or chips. The impressing ribs I3e may form letters or may constitute any other suitable design.

The grooves 2|l serve to vent air from the slab Achamber when the cover is being fitted on to the base and pressed down. The clearance between the ends of blades I3d and the inner surface of flanges I9 is preferably greater than the .clearance between the outer surfaces of walls I4 and the inner surfaces of walls 21 so that if ,the cover is moved around, the blades I3d will above, exceptfor one change which will be explained. The cover 58 has a top wall 5I, end

fwalls 52 and front and rear walls 53.

`isimpressor plate 55 which may be exactly the same as the impressor plate |3 except that itis formed with a central screw threaded opening 51. Means is provided for removably attaching impressor plate 56 to the underside of top wall 5|. To this end, there is provided a knob or handle 58 formed with a central screw threaded stem 59 projecting through the opening 55 and screwed into the threaded opening 51 of plate 56. When the knob 58 is tightened, it will press the plate 56 against the underside of top wall 5|. The knob 5S serves as a handle for the cover and is also a means for attaching the impressor plate to the cover. The impressor plate 56 may be released by unscrewing the handle 58.

Since the cover 5&1` is formed with the grooves 54, the base Il used in conjunction therewith may omit the grooves 2|, which serve the same purpose.

In Fig. 12 there is shown a device embodying the invention and illustrating yet another modified construction. In the device 6U there is employed a base which may be the same as that described in Figs. l to 9. Also, there may be employed in connection with the device 60, an impressor plate 3, similar tothe one described hereinabove. There is also employed a cover 6| similar to the cover |2 except that instead of latch 3| for tabs 3U there is provided a transverse bead 62. The ends of the vplate |3 push back against beads 62 and snap over the upper edge of the beads so as tobe held in place thereby. It will be noted that the plate I3. may be removed by merely pressing back on the tabs 3U sufliciently for the latch 3| or bead 62 to clear the ends of the impressor plate. n

In Fig. 13 there is shown a device 65 embodying the invention and illustrating yet another modied construction. In the device 65, there is employed a cover 66 similar to the coverr 2,

lwith the exception that there is substituted for tabs of cover |2, tabs 30a hinged to the end walls of the cover by means of spring hinges 61. Otherwise the device is the same as the device |0.

It will be noted that the walls 21 of the cover v|2 are formed at the lower edges with central v28 may be eliminated, sin-ce in such case the upwardly projecting portion of the tabs may be engaged for pushing the tabs apart to permit the impressor plate I3 to fall out of the cover.

Grooves 2| and 54 may be omitted if desired, since air will be vented by reason of the engagement of wings |30 with the upper edges of the flanges I9 and furthermore, air may escape through the slits 29. When the beads 62 are employed, as in Fig. 12, the tabs 30 need not be pressed apart to releasethe plate |3. Instead, thumbs may be inserted vthrough the notches 28 and pressure applied downwardly against the portionsr of the impressor plate I3, exposed by the notches, to cause engagement of the ends of the plate with said bead for press- Ving the tabs 3l) apart. The impressor plate I3 is easily removable for the additional purpose that it may be cleaned and replaced for sanitary purposes. The plates |3b may be centrally notched, as at |3e, if desired.

It will now be understood that the covers may be. made 0f synthetic plastic whereas'the impressor plate may be made of metal. The cover acts as an insulation ragainst the heat of the metal plate. The .plate is interchangeable so that, various designs may be stocked. These plates are rrelatively thin so that they maybe compactly shipped and stored, The cover together with the plate isv light and easy to handle and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

In using the device I0, the cover may be dipped in hot water so that the impressor plate will be warmed sufficiently to prevent it from sticking to the butter. The cover itself, however, is made of plastic, which does not. have a high specific heat. The metal plate willhold its heat while the cover will remain cool so that it will be easy to handle.`

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this'invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions Vof practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, `and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, itQis to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent:

l. A device formaking pats from a slab of butter or the like soft plastic material, comprising a base meinberhaving a chamber to receive the slab, a Acover member telescopically fitted over the base and an impressor plate removably mounted in a fixed position within the cover member and adapted to press against the top of the slab, the cover member being made of synthetic plastic material and the impressor plate being made of metal, at least one of said members l being formed with ducts disposed between the sides of the cover member and base member.

2, A device for making a plurality of pats from 1.a slab of butter or the like soft plastic material,

comprising a base having .a chamber to receive the slab, a cover telescopically fitted over the base, and an impressor plate removably mounted within the cover, said cover and base being formed with air ducts between the `walls thereof and adapted to press against the top of the slab, said cover being made of non-metallicmaterial, and

said impressor plate being made of metallicY material. n

3. A device for making pats from a slab of butter or the like soft plastic material, comprising a base having a chamber to receive the slab, a rcover telescopically fitted over the base, an impressor plate adapted to press against the top of the slab, and resilient means on the ends'of the cover for latching the plate to the covenby `said top wall, an .impressor plate, means for removably mounting the plate within the cover in a xed position and against the underside of said top wall, for impressing the top of a slab within said chamber and for dividing the same into pats, said impressor plate having means to divide the slab into pats, extending substantially down to the upper surface of said chamber.

5. A device for making pats from a slab of soft plastic material, comprising a base formed with a chamber adapted .to receive the slab, said chamber being open at the top, a cover telescopically tted over the base and comprising a top wall and walls projecting downwardly from said top wall and an impressor plate removably mounted within the cover and against the underside of said top wall for impressing the top of a slab within said chamber and for dividing the same into pats, said base and cover being made of non-metallic material and said impressor plate being made of metal, said impressor plate having shouldered end portions which rest upon bosses extending from the end walls of said cover.

6. A device for making pats from a slab of soft plastic material, comprising a base formed with a chamber adapted to receive the slab, said chamber being open at the top, a cover telescopically tted over the base and comprising a top wall and walls projecting downwardly from said top wall, an impressor plate, means releasably retaining said plate within the cover and against the underside of said top wall of the cover for impressing the top of a slab within said chamber and for dividing the same into pats, said top wall being provided with cutaway portions adjacent said retaining means, said impressor plate being made of material having a higher specific heat than said base and cover.

7. A device for dividing a slab of butter or material of the like consistency into pats, comprising a base formed at its upper end with a chamber open at the top and adapted to receive said slab, a cover tted telescopically over said base and having a top wall and downwardly projecting end, front, and rear walls, said end walls including spring slabs, an impressor plate, and means on said spring tabs for holding said impressor plate against the underside of said top wall of the cover.

8. A device for dividing a slab of butter or material of the like consistency into pats, comprising a base formed at its upper end` with a chamber open at the top and adapted to receive said slab, a cover tted telescopically over said base and having a top wall and downwardly projecting end, front, and rear walls, said end walls including spring tabs, an impressor plate, and means on said spring tabs for holding said impressor plate against the underside of said top wall of the cover, said tabs being integrally formed with said end walls.

9. A device for dividing a slab of butter or material of the like consistency into pats, comprising a base formed at its upper end with a chamber open at the top and adapted to receive said slab, a cover fitted telescopically over said base and having a top Wall and downwardly projecting end, front, and rear walls, said end walls including spring tabs, an impressor plate, and means on said spring tabs for holding said impresser plate against the underside of said top wall of the cover, said tabs being hinged to said end walls.

10. A device for dividing a slab of butter-like material into pats comprising a base member having front, rear, and end walls and a top wall,

and front and rear flanges extending above said top wall and forming a chamber to receive said slab and a cover member telescopically fitted over said base and having a top wall, rend walls and front and rear walls, an impressor plate releasably latched in a xed position to the underside of the top wall of said cover, and resilient means on the cover and engageable with said impressor plate to releasably latch said impressor plate to the underside of the top wall of said cover.

11. A device for dividing a slab of butter-like material into pats comprising a base member having front, rear and end walls and a top wall. and front and rear iianges extending above said top wall, and forming a chamber to receive said slab, and a cover member telescopically tted over said base and having a top wall, end walls and front and rear walls, an impressor plate releasably mounted in a xed position at the underside of the top wall of said cover, the front and rear walls of one of said members being formed with vent grooves on the surface thereof, facing the front and rear walls of the other member to vent air which might otherwise be trapped in said slab chamber when pushing the cover down on the base to impress a slab therein by means of said impressor plate, said impressor plate having ridges extending substantially down to the top wall of the cover to divide the slabs into pats.

i2. A device of the character described, comprising a base, a member telescopically tted over the base and comprising a top wall and walls projecting downwardly from said top Wall, said top wall being formed with openings at its ends, an impressor plate contacting the underside of said top wall, means having their upper edges in the openings in said top wall flush therewith for removably attaching said plate to the underside of said top wall, said plate attaching means including a portion extending below the top wall of said member and forming a shoulder on the inner ends of said member.

13. A device for making pats from a slab of butter or the like soft plastic easily incisible material, comprising a base having a chamber to receive the slab, a cover telescopically fitted over the base and an impressor plate removably mounted within the cover and said cover and base being formed with air ducts between said base and cover and adapted to press against the top of the slab, said impressor plate being of a material having a higher heat conductivity than the material of said cover.

14. A device for dividing a slab of butter or material of the like consistency into pats, comprising a base formed at its upper end with a chamber open at the top and adapted to receive said slab, a cover iitted telescopically over said base and having a top wall and downwardly projecting end, front, and rear walls, said end walls including spring tabs, an impressor plate, and means on said spring tabs for holding said impressor plate against the underside of said top wall of the cover, said top wall being formed with notches extending to the tab portion of said end walls.

15. A device for dividing a slab of butter or material of the like consistency into pats, comprising a base formed at its upper end with a. chamber open at the top and adapted to receive said slab, a cover tted telescopically over said base and having a top wall and downwardly projecting end, front, and rear walls, said end walls including spring tabs, an impressor plate, Aand means on said spring tabs for holding said impressor plate against the underside of said top wall of the cover, said top wall being formed with notches extending to the tab portion of said end walls, said cover having a pair of opposite walls, the lower edges of Which are notched to receive fingers of the user, to facilitate lifting the cover ofi the base.

Y 16. A device for making a plurality of pats from a slab of butter or the like soft, plastic, easily incisible material, comprising a base having a chamber to receive the slab, a cover having atop, and two vertical end walls and two vertical side walls extending downwardly therefrom, telescopically tted over the base, an impressor plate removably mounted in a fixed position within said cover, and adapted to press against the top of the slab, and means on the cover engageable with said impressor plate to retain said impressor plate within lthe cover, a cutaway portion in the top of the cover surrounding the top edge of said retaining means.

17. The device of claim 16l in which said means comprises resilient tabs, each tab being formed with an inwardly projecting shoulder in contact with the underside of said impressor plate, which UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 109,381 Brush Nov. 22, 1870 10 217,405 Rapp July 8, 1879 351,042 Carver Oct. 19, 1886 710,546 Wegner Oct. 7, 1902 819,237 Lorenz ,May 1, 1906 1,512,347 Lorenz Oct. 21, 1924 1,688,227 Bernier Oct-'16, V1928 1,787,959 Scofield Jan. 6, 1931 2,068,389 Smith Jan. 19, 1937 2,193,013 Weinberg Mar. 12, 1940 2,228,644 Sackas Jan. 14, 1941 2,312,511 Weinberg Mar. 2, 1943 2,321,188 Doering et al June 8, 1943 2,323,523 Doering et al July 6, 1943 2,339,994 Houlihan Jan. 25, 1944 2,364,885 Weinberg Dec. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date rests thereon, air ducts formed between said 1 y plates sides and the inner vertical sides of said cover.

MAURICE J. WEINBERG.

References Cited inthe ille of this patent Germany Feb. 26, 1902 

